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The Role of the Ministry of Education:The Ministry of Education is responsible for setting policy and forproviding funding to Boards of Education and Independent SchoolAuthorities. Provincial Homeschooling grants are provided onan annual basis to Boards of Education and Independent SchoolAuthorities for each Registered Homeschooler that is reportedto the Ministry of Education in the Fall. Homeschooling grantsare intended to cover administrative costs associated with theRegistration process and the requirement for Registering Schoolsto offer Educational Services. No provincial funding is sent directlyfrom the Ministry of Education to Home Educators or RegisteredHomeschoolers. Boards of Education receive 250 for each homeschoolerregistered with a Public School within the district. Independent School Authorities holding a certificate of group1 or group 2 classification receive 175 for each RegisteredHomeschooler. Note that Independent School Authorities alsohave the ability to set a fee for homeschool Registration.Table 1 Differences between Homeschooling, Online Learning and Learning in a Standard SchoolCriteriaMust follow the B.C. CurriculumLearning must be supervised by a B.C.-certifiedTeacher, as part of their duties of employment with aB.C. school (responsibilities include planning,selecting Educational Resource Materials, facilitatinglearning activities and documenting learning).Student progress must be evaluated, and report cardsprepared by a B.C.-certified Teacher.Student must participate in Provincial GraduationAssessments and Foundation Skills AssessmentsReligious texts / resources may be used“Status” in a schoolHomeschool NONOonline school NO NO Although optional forGrades 10-12RegisteredHomeschooler*NOstandard school NOin Public Schoolsin Public Schoolsin Independent Schoolsin Independent SchoolsStudentStudent * Registered Homeschoolers who are eligible to enroll in Grades 10-12 courses may remain a homeschoolerwhile also enrolling in Online Learning courses at the Grade 10 to 12 level.The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 7Consultation Draft

Table 2 Educational Program: Roles and ResponsibilitiesResponsibilitiesHomeschoolonline schoolstandard schoolHome Educator(at the discretion of theHome Educator)Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthority*Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthority*Home Educator(at the discretion of theHome Educator)**B.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthority / Ministry ofEducationB.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthority / Ministry ofEducationResponsibility for Developing the Learning Plan(and Individual Education Plan, if required).Home Educator(at the discretion of theHome Educator)B.C.- Certified TeacherB.C.- Certified TeacherResponsibility for Selecting ResourcesHome Educator(at the discretion of theHome Educator)**B.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthorityB.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthorityB.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthorityB.C.- Certified Teacher/Board of Education/Independent SchoolAuthorityB.C.- Certified TeacherB.C.- Certified TeacherResponsibility for Extended Assessments,(facilitating and covering the cost)Responsibility for Evaluation and AssessmentResponsibility for Facilitating an Organized Set ofLearning ActivitiesResponsibility for Documenting LearningHome Educator(required)Home Educator(at the discretion of theHome Educator)*Parents/guardians of Students at an Independent School may be expected to pay for Extended Assessments.** Registering Schools have some responsibilities with regard to offering access to educational services (loanof educational resource materials and evaluation and assessment services).The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 8Consultation Draft

Considerations When Exploring HomeschoolingHomeschooling comes with great responsibility. Choosing thisoption means the Home Educator must provide and supervise allaspects of their child’s Educational Program, including curriculumand Learning Materials. For families with the time, resourcesand interest, Homeschooling can be an extremely rewardingeducational option. However, some families who are interested inHomeschooling may not find it possible or practical.Sometimes a family will become interested in Homeschooling asa result of a situation where they feel that a child’s needs have notbeen met in a particular school environment. Families may wish toexplore the full spectrum of educational options that are availablebefore choosing to homeschool their child. School Districts andIndependent Schools can offer a range of settings and experiencesfor Students, ranging from standard to alternate and highlyspecialized in-person and online programs.A range of factors should be considered when deciding whetherHomeschooling is a good fit and will support the child / youth’seducation and development. These include the reasons for andcommitment to Homeschooling the child / youth, as well asthe Home Educator’s ability to provide a healthy and supportiveenvironment necessary for learning. Additional factors for the HomeEducator’s consideration include: m eeting and responding to any Disabilities and /or DiverseAbilities the child / youth may have; providing social opportunities; providing access to community supports / networks; providing access to recreation, sports and wellness facilities; s upporting the child / youth’s longer term and life goals (e.g.support for post-secondary transitions); and b alancing the Home Educator’s career and / orother commitments.To help decide whether Homeschooling is the best option,Homeschooling advocacy groups can provide more information onHomeschooling, and its advantages and challenges.Children / Youth with Disabilities and /or Diverse Abilities:Children with Disabilities and Diverse Abilities may require arange of educational supports and services. When such Studentsare enrolled with a Public or Independent School, they maybe entitled to additional supports provided by the Board ofEducation or Independent School Authority. Boards of Educationand Independent School Authorities receive supplementalinclusive education funding from the Ministry of Education foreligible enrolled Students to support their needs. In the caseof a homeschooled child / youth, it is the parent /caregiver’sresponsibility to provide the homeschooled child /youth with anappropriate and supportive Educational Program. The Ministryof Education does not provide inclusive education funding toRegistering Schools or to Home Educators. Homeschooled children/ youth with Disabilities and Diverse Abilities are not eligible toreceive inclusive education supports through the RegisteringSchool or assistance in developing their Educational Program.Note: Online Learning schools may set their own policies withregard to enrolling Students with a Special Needs / InclusiveEducation diagnosis, but these Students are funded at the samerate as Students in Standard Schools.When Does A Homeschooler Cease To Be AHomeschooler?A Registered Homeschooler who enrolls in an Educational Programoffered by a Board of Education or Independent School Authoritydoes not retain their Registered Homeschooler status. The onlyexception to this is when an eligible Registered Homeschoolerenrolls in an Online Learning School for Grades 10-12.A Registered Homeschooler may audit a course (not for credit) withthe permission of a Board or Authority and remain registered as ahomeschooler. Credits towards graduation cannot be earned forcourses taken in this way.The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 9Consultation Draft

Homeschooling & Graduation: Earning Credit ForGraduation Through Online LearningConsiderations: entering or re-entering the BC educationsystem:A Registered Homeschoolers may not obtain a B.C. Certificate ofGraduation (Dogwood Diploma) through Homeschooling alone.In most cases, when a Registered Homeschooler is ready to enterin the B.C. graduation program, they choose to enroll and willtransition to ‘enrolled status’. In so doing, they may obtain a B.C.Certificate of Graduation or Adult Graduation Diploma and / ortake pre-requisite courses for a post-secondary program. Pleasesee the Ministry of Education’s Graduation Program Handbook ofProcedures for information regarding the paths to graduation andcorresponding requirements.Most homeschoolers are in the elementary school age range.Almost all homeschoolers either return to or enter the B.C.education system at some point in time. To return or enter the B.C.education system, contact a Board of Education or IndependentSchool. Staff can assist and place the child / youth in an appropriateEducational Program.As previously noted, Registered Homeschoolers may not retain theirstatus if they enroll in an Online Learning School, except for when aRegistered Homeschooler enrolls in an Online Learning School forGrades 10-12. Credit earned in Grades 10 to 12 for Online Learningcourses can be counted towards graduation requirements.Considerations: Taking “for credit” Online Learning courses(Grades 10-12) while remaining registered as a homeschooler: Homeschoolers contemplating enrolling in a high schoolcourse via Online Learning should discuss course readiness andany relevant prior learning with the staff at the Online LearningSchool. Homeschoolers contemplating enrolling in a school to pursuea path to graduation should discuss course readiness and anyrelevant prior learning with the staff at the school. The Earning Credit through Equivalency, Challenge, ExternalCredentials, Post Secondary Credit and IndependentDirected Studies policy provides information on some of thenon-traditional ways that fully enrolled Students can earncredit towards graduation in B.C. This policy may be helpfulfor Registered Homeschoolers who may be consideringtransitioning to regular, enrolled Student status.B.C. Secondary School Transcript of Grades or GraduationCertificate:To order an official B.C. Secondary School Transcript of Gradesor Graduation Certificate (Dogwood), please visit the Ministry ofEducation’s Student Transcripts Service (STS) website athttp://www.studenttranscripts.gov.bc.ca. The Registering School is the school of record. As the school ofrecord, the Registering School will be responsible for reportingfinal grades to the Ministry of Education and ensuring that thecourses appear on the Registered Homeschooler’s Ministry ofEducation transcript. If the Online Learning School is not theRegistering School, Homeschooling families should ensurethat the Online Learning School knows where the Student isregistered at the time of course enrollment.The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 10Consultation Draft

Homeschooling And Post-Secondary EducationHomeschooling and Covid-19Registered Homeschoolers who do not earn a B.C. Certificate ofGraduation may still be eligible for admission to a post-secondaryeducation program. Registered Homeschoolers who do not intendto earn a B.C. graduation credential and wish to attend a postsecondary institution should research admission requirements forpotential programs of choice and confirm admission requirements,eligibility and procedures directly with the institutions.Be advised that the Provincial COVID-19 Health and SafetyGuidelines for K-12 Settings and the BC Centre for Disease ControlCOVID-19 Public Health Guidance for K-12 School Settings are notapplicable in a home setting. Home Educators are encouraged toadapt relevant sections of these documents to their homeschoolsetting and to take as many preventative measures as possiblewhen organizing group Homeschooling activities. Measures suchas physical distancing, mask use when physical distancing is notpossible, frequent hand hygiene, and cleaning/disinfecting are allencouraged, particularly when interacting with people outside ofyour social bubble. Home Educators are also advised to keep up todate with any Province-wide restrictions.The BC Transfer Guide may also be a helpful resource:https://www.bctransferguide.caThe Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 11Consultation Draft

SECTION II: LEGISLATIVE PROVISIONS AND BETTER PRACTICE GUIDELINES1. Registration ProcessDisclaimer: The legislation and policy provisions noted below do not comprise an exhaustive list of all relevant provisions.All entities are advised to conduct legal due diligence and to comply with all applicable legislation.The Registration process includes both the act of a parent/guardian notifying a school of their intention to homeschool a Student and theregistering school’s process for registering a Student as a homeschooler, including reporting Registrations to the Ministry of EducationNotes:1) The information presented under the legislative provisions sections below are legal requirements or entitlements. The informationpresented under better practice guidelines are optional and adherence to these Better Practice Guidelines is entirely at the discretionof the Home Educator. Please note that this document does not contain legal advice and is intended only to present some of therelevant considerations.2) The Francophone Education Authority is included under the category “Boards of Education”.The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 12Consultation Draft

1. registration processgroupHome EducatorsLegislative Provisions: Requirements & EntitlementsBetter Practice Guidelines As per School Act, section 3 (Entry toEducational Program), children residingin BC must be enrolled in a Board orAuthority’s Educational Program, unlessregistered as a homeschooler(School Act, section 13). Understand the roles and responsibilities of Home Educators. Registration is required (if not enrolled)from the year a child turns 5 (can bedeferred until 6) until they reach the ageof 16. Homeschool Registration is optionalafter the year in which the child turns 16(School Act, section 3) and can continueup until the School Year in which they turn19 (School Act, section 1). Home Educators are required to registerhomeschooled children by September 30(annually) at the Home Educator’s schoolof choice (School Act, section 13). It is an offence not to register ahomeschooled childSchool Act, section 13(4) Aside from providing basic information tothe registering school, Home Educatorsmay choose the degree to which theywish to engage in additional elements ofthe Registration process (e.g. discussion onalternative educational settings in theB.C. K-12 school system, and onEducational Services offered by theRegistering School). Understand the difference between registeredHomeschooling, learning with an Online Learning School andlearning in a Public or Independent school. Registering Schools are required to offer EducationalServices (Educational Resource Materials and Evaluation andAssessment Services. Be informed of the Educational Services Registering Schoolscan provide in order to choose the school of registration thatbest suits each homeschooler’s needs. Be informed of any fees and / or deposits that the RegisteringSchool may require. Be informed that each Board of Education and IndependentSchool Authority has the Authority to make a determinationof whether a person is ordinarily resident in BC. This processrequires demonstrating, on the basis of objective evidence,that a person has established a regular, habitual mode oflife in BC. Families that opt to homeschool after September 30i.e. transition from enrolled to registered), should register thehomeschooled child with a Public or Independent School. Understand that the Superintendent of a School District hasan obligation to follow up on any reports received that achild who is being educated at home is not registered or maynot be receiving an Educational Program. This responsibilityextends to Registered Homeschoolers who are registered atan Independent School. Know that parents/guardians have the right to engagean advocate to be present during the Superintendent’sinvestigation.The Ministry of Education Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual 13Consultation Draft

1. registration processgroupLegislative Provisions: Requirements & EntitlementsBetter Practice GuidelinesregisteredHomeschoolers Children/youth can be homeschooledbut must be registered with a B.C. school(School Act, section 13). Registered Homeschoolers should understand thatthere is a legal requirement for Home Educators toregister a homeschooled child/youth with a Public orIndependent School.registeringpublic schools Principals of Public Schools are requiredto register the child of a parent/guardianif that parent/guardian notifies a schoolof their intent to homeschool - School Act,section 13(2). Accept homeschool registrations at any time of year. Public Schools (all delivery models) arerequired to register the child of anyparent/guardian, regardless of where theylive (in or out of catchment). Registering Schools must reporthomeschool Registrations to the Ministryof Education on the Student DataCollection Form (1701).1701 Form: Required Information1) Personal Education Number (Schools must request PEN’s for any new Students /Registered Homeschoolers prior to submitting the file to the Ministry).2) Legal names3) Birth Date4) Gender5) BC residential postal code of the homeschooled child.Enter code (HS) in the grade code field if the child’s education program is being led bythe parent or guardian and has been registered with your school.Note: Registered homeschooled child must be of school age (must be 5 years of age byDecember 31, but not 19 years of age or older as of July 1, of the current School Year ).Student Data Collections Ministry webpage has more information about the 1701data collections. To ensure consistency of practice, establish a Homeschoolingpolicy that is consistent with the legislation and addresses:the Registration process (before and after September 30),Ed

Please send feedback by April 2, 2021 to EDUC.Homeschooling. Guidelines@gov.bc.ca. Suggestions will be considered in advance of publication of the final Homeschooling Procedures and Guidelines Manual, anticipated prior to the end of the 2020/21 School Year. The right to choose Homeschooling is afforded to parents and legal